“New actors join ‘Heated Rivalry’ Season 2 cast”

Crave’s hit hockey drama series, Heated Rivalry, has introduced two new actors for its upcoming Season 2.

Daniel Diemer, a well-known Canadian actor recognized for his role as Tyson in the TV series Percy Jackson and the Olympians, will portray the character of hockey player Ryan Price.

Meanwhile, Welsh actor Shaheen Jafargholi, who will also feature in the HBO show War, has been cast as musician Fabian Salah, the love interest of Ryan in the third book of Rachel Reid’s popular Game Changers series, titled Tough Guy.

The plot revolves around Ryan, a professional hockey enforcer, who gets traded to the Toronto team. His encounter with Fabian, an aspiring musician from his past, reignites their undeniable chemistry. However, pursuing a future together may require Ryan to bid farewell to his hockey career.

Writer Jacob Tierney and producer Brendan Brady expressed their excitement about the casting choices, highlighting the unique energy Diemer and Jafargholi bring to the characters created by Reid.

The first season of the series adapted the initial two books of Reid’s series, while Season 2 will continue the narrative of Shane Hollander and Ilya Rozanov from the novel The Long Game, with Hudson Williams and Connor Storrie reprising their roles.

The upcoming season will also incorporate the storylines of Troy Barrett, a hockey player moving to Ilya’s team, and Harris Dover, a social media manager, from the fifth book, Role Model.

• Criticism arises over body diversity in Season 2 casting of Heated Rivalry

Crave revealed that Justice Smith will play Harris and Charlie Gillespie, known for Julie and the Phantoms, will take on the role of Troy. Additionally, new additions to the cast include Schitt’s Creek‘s Emily Hampshire and drag queen Priyanka.

• Four Canadians join Season 2 cast of Heated Rivalry

The much-anticipated Season 2 of Heated Rivalry is scheduled for a spring 2027 premiere.